This Paper attempts to summarise the present situation regarding ”single vehicle / first event” situation for motorcyclist impacts with roadside safety hardware. Topics referred to include development work using computational mechanics and full-scale impact tests. Various systems have been developed, assessed and put into service to reduce the consequences of motorcyclists impacting roadside hardware and these are also covered. The purpose and performance objectives of such hardware need to recognise both the range of types of traffic, and real accident data.